Folding box machine



April 1948- w. A. RINGLYER 2,440,120

. FOLDING BOX MACHINE ,Filed Oct. 19, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR [M4 ATTORNEY 'April 20, 1948. w. A. RINGLER 2,440,120

' FOLDING BOX MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I'lllllllllllli -"l l mm April 1948- w. A. RlNG LER 2,440,120

FOLDING BOX MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR [15111011112 2111?! ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20,1 1948 FOLDING BOX MACHINE William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assignor to The Gardner-Richardson Company, Middlctown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 19, 1945, Serial No. 623,243

V Claims.

1 This invention relates to machines for the mechanical closing of folding boxes or cartons and has particular application to machines for the handling of cartons comprising a body portion and a cover hinged to the body portion which after filling of the carton is telescoped over the side walls of the body portion.

The present invention provides an automatic machine for the closing of hinged cover cartons at high production speeds and is particularly suited for the handling of cartons set up from prefabricated fiat collapsed blanks.

The present invention is concerned with a machine or machine section which receives for closing cartons which have previously passed through a filling machine. The filled cartons are advanced through the closing machine at a continuous rate of speed while successive carton closing operations are being performed.

Machines embodying the present invention are particularly suited for the handling of cartons consisting of a carton body having a bottom panel and side, front and back walls connected to the bottom panel, and a. carton cover comprising a top panel hinged to the back wall and front and side flange panels connected to the top panel. Automatic locking means may be provided for locking the carton cover in carton closed position and may comprise a lock fiap hinged to the front wall and abutment means on the front flange panel engageable by the lock flap when the cover is swung over. the body portion of the carton. Such cartons may be set up from collapsible prefabricated blanks frequently provided with fold ilnes extending across the side walls of the carton body and the side walls to facilitate collapsing of the prefabricated carton blank into fiat condition.

The present invention provides a machine particularly adapted for the handling of such collapsible cartons in a manner to prevent recollapsing or distortion of the carton which would interfere with th rapid handling of the cartons during the closing operations.

The various objects and advantages of this invention will appear more fully from the detailed description which follows accompanied by drawings showing for the purpose of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although thecharactcristic features of this invention which are believed to be novel will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a prefabricated collapsed fiat ready glued carton blank ready for expansion into hollow carton form, filling and closing on machines embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a hollow unfilled carton expanded from the blank shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the closed carton;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a carton closing machin embodying the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machin shown in Fig. 4; and

Figs. 6 to 9 are perspective views illustrating successive operations performed by the machine shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In the following description and in the claims various details will be identified by specific names for convenience. The names, however, are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters refer to like part in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for the purpose of explanation, but it is understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the principles of this invention and that the invention may be applied to other structures than the ones shown.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 3 illustr'ate a form of carton which may be handled on machines embodying the present invention, it being understood that cartons of different construction may equally well be handled on the machine. In Figs. 1 to 3 only the principal structural parts of the carton are illustrated. Such as glue flaps or glue seams being omitted for the sake of clearness, such details being not essential for an understanding of the present invention.

A carton blank A is shown in Fig. 1 in the form in which it may be delivered to a product manufacturer or packer from a paper box manufacturer. The blank A is ready glued and folded and collapsed into flat form so as to require only a minimum of space. Its construction is best understood by first referring to Fig.

3 2 showing a hollow carton A set up from the collapsed carton blank A. The carton comprises a body portion consisting of a bottom panel H, side walls l2 and I3, a front wall l4 and a back wall l5. The cover portion of the carton comprises a top panel l6 hingedly connected to the back wa11 l5 along a hinge line H, a front flange panel l8- afid ,side1fiangefpanels" l '9fiahd25":

Cartons may be equipped" automatic means for locking the carton cover in carton closed position. Such locking means comprise}- covers being substantially in the position as in the illustrated embodiment, a locle flap- 2| hinged to the front wall l4 along a'l'li'n'ge line 22 and abutment flaps 23 and'fll' providing. arr abutment edge 25. The abutment flaps are; secured to the inside surface of the front flange panel l8 and are so arranged that the abutment edges 25 of the flaps 23 and. 24 move into edge to edge position with the free edge 26 f the lock flap 2 i.

Fold lines 2?, 28; 29' and 30 extend: across the side walls of the body portion and further fold lines 31 and 32 extend acrossthe side flange panels I S and 20; These fold lines pe'rl'nit' collapsin'g of the blank into the flat form illustratedinFig.l. v

Fig. 1 shows the blank in collap'sed condition, the back wall H and th'e top panels t6 lying topmost. The side flange panels [9 andeZB are folded at their respective fold lines 3 'an'd "32 and the side walls l2 and I3 are foldedat th'eir respective fo1d'lines2- L Z8,Z9'andl30.;

A knowledge Of the colist'rl'ictidl'l ai ld (iteration ofmachines or equipment for' the expan'di'r'ig of the collapsed flat blank A o'f Figfi -l into" hollow cartonform' A of Fig-Zii's not-r "u-iredfonan understanding of the present m vetitieng Such machines form the subjectmatter of separate inventions and applications for Letters Patenta Suffice it to say thatautomatio rtiachines may be employed for expan-til "and opening the carton into the position shown? iii Fig", that additionalq iipmeiit is" provided we filling the carton witnmere' andiee", 0t roeaasthe case may be. Tlf'Set lllp' filledfcartori-tlien reaches the automatic closing machine or machi e to which the present invention r elatesf The" closing machine alignsthe cover" of the carton with the tartan ayano mo'ves the nev r into carton closed positidfi the car n inoves alongat an even; rapid "rate eaten without acceleration or dedel'e'ra whereby disloca tioil or spilling of the eonents is ereveiiteaj- The closedcajrt'o'llisshown Fig; 3; the lock ing means being indicated by broknlines; The lock flap ii isfo'lded"about'-its hinge li'ne over the outside" surfaceoftfie front wall [4 and engages with its freeje'dg 26" theabutinentedges 25 of the abutment fiapsfl arm 24} The machine for closing the carton compri es a base 33 pr0vidi-flg "asubstalfitiail ly Horizontal table or platform '34 fovr wnie'iianendless" en'- ve'yor 35 travels; Thebonvefiofconsists of a belt 36 haVifig Phil'sof lugs 31 :3Bl'li6u'lltd thereon so spaced este le cei'v a? carton between each pair of lugs. Themes-train be termed leading lugs and'erigage the sidewall of the carton which is frontmost with respectto the direction of travel, of 'the' 'carton "and the lilgs as will be' termed traiiin eu s' since they engag the side wall of the carton which isrear most witnrespect to the direction or seven The conveyor belt 36 is trained aieum sui power driven near" the ends "of them chine; 317"being"visible fieaethe dis:

shown Fig. 2. The cartons are firmly held between pairs of lugs, the leading lug 31 engaging the leading. side: wall" l2 and a trailing lug 38 engaging the: trailing side wall I 3.

As the "filled carton enters the closing machine or unit. the car-toni cover, more particularly the top panel [6, is engaged at station I by the end portion of a sweep or plow 46 which folds the carton cover towards the carton body as shown at the r ight handasideofFigI. 4t

The cartomithen advances towards: the. dis-- charge end' of the machine, and movies.- ate: statioi'l" I'Iiwithi'n. the reach of a: further SWEGD'OI'. plow 41 which engages the" upstanding. lockflap 2 l and. fold's'it. downwardly overthe': outside surface of the front wallilfiz; This folding: operation is shown in; Fig. 7? on alalger'scale; ltiwilllbe no'tedthat during; these operations? the cover of: the carton is Stilhil't semi collapsed*condition, its: sidewalls rs. and 2D: beingx'zr'eased at the fold: lines 3| and 32 du'ztdthestiffnessof .thestock from which the cartomis made.

Means are accordingly provided. for straight-v ehin g the side flangepanels lsxand 3211 of/the; cover portion beforelthe carton coveris foldedinto carton clos'edpositibn! by arisintermediate' section 48 oit the sweep 46 engaging the toppanel H5 at a station III. 1

As" each carton approaches station IIIayiel'dable arm-4' 9 engages the leading side: flange panel [9 of the cover and causes its t'wo' paneliportions t6 streighteiiout at the fold. line .31; arm. lisiis preferably made. of spring material-and mounted: tnem'achine atis hstantiall y simultaneously or imrrietliately there ter'a further arm 50 m'ovable the directionbf advance oftne carton engages the trailing: side flange pattern andi-straightens. its two portionssit-the fold line 32 The. operation: of the arms 49 add-50. fully: enacts the carton cover preparatory to the movement-or folding of the-section 08 6f thesweep 45.

The arm-50 ispreferably made oi resilient lfnate at and; sec a teams: 5 t en ashaft-52 rotatable-in bearings" 5e 54; one end of tne'shai't 52 extends through the bearing 53 and carries a; sprocket ear 55 secured" at is; A- s rocket chain 5Tis trainee" armed thefspi oeket gear 551 an hei sprocket gear 'sa i'rne sprocket ge i 58- s integral wi'th; a spur gee: 59- inesling with a gear "a'iidi's rotatablymountedorr astub shaft 60 on the machine tase asg. "The ratiofof trans-messiah er the r ve or the fetatab-le 5a and itstilni'ng'witl l respect t' the co or 35f agesth trailing sid s ti 'uiidereetieii treats s ajst he parties 6! of'the "sweet &6 events the carton ctver" down fully over the side walls l2 and I3 and the front wall [4. v 7

After disengagement of thearms 49 and 50 from the side flange panels I 9 and of the cover, the body portion of the carton pilots and guides the carton cover furtheruntil it reaches the fully closed position in which the free edge 26 of the lock flap 2| engages the abutment edges shown in F g. 3.

The closed carton leaving station IV of the machine is ready for packing into large containers, wrapping into a sheet of protective material such as Cellophane or wax paper, or for further processing of its contents, for example quick freezing in the case of frozen food products.

The conveyor may be used for transporting the closed cartons to other locations for such further handling as may be desired or the cartons may be removed from the conveyor in any suitable manner. Since, however, the further handling of the closed cartons is not important for an understanding of the present invention, the conveyor and the machine platform are shown broken off at B2. 7

During the advance of the carton through the carton closing machine or unit the side walls of the carton body areyfirmly held between pairs of conveyor lugs 31 and 38 insuring positive advance of the individual cartons at predetermined intervals along the conveyor. Lateral movement of the carton may be prevented by lateral guide rails 63 and 64 engaging the front and back wall M and I5 of the carton respectively.

The invention thus provides an efficient machine for the closing of filled cartons at rates of 120 cartons a minute and over. The main feature of the invention resides in the fact that the cartons are advanced continuously without change of speed or change of direction, whereby dislocation and spilling of contents is effectively prevented. The cartons are securely guided throughout their travel through the machine and the carton cover parts are so guided as to insure accurate engagement with the carton body. This is a feature of particular importance in the handling of cartons set up from collapsed flat blanks since such cartons tends to return to a collapsed or semi-collapsed condition by reason of the previous folding of the blank. The present machine corrects such tendency of the carton and makes possible the handling of cartons at an extremely rapid rate without danger of failure.

Obviously the present invention is not limited to the handling of cartons provided with automatic locking means as are provided in the illustrated carton embodiment. Also the invention is not restricted to the use of cartons made from previously collapsed carton blanks since the features of positive guidance of the carton cover over the carton body are equally valuable in the handling of cartons of the non-collapsible type.

The arms 49 and 50 engaging the leading and trailing side flange panels of the cover insure proper alignment of the cover with respect to the carton body and prevent misalignment which obviously would lead to damage of the carton and interfere with the operation of the machine.

It will be evident that various changes, additions, omissions and modifications may be made in the illustrated structure without departing from the fundamental principles and advantages of the invention. For example the conveyor belt 36 may be provided with cleats or other means for insuring a positive drive by the drums 39 and proper timing. Also the conveyor may be in the form of an endless chain. Such details are obvious to persons skilled in the art and are omitted from the accompanying drawings for the sake of clearness.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for the automatic closing of open cartons consisting of a carton body comprising a bottom panel, side walls, and a front and a back wall connected to the bottom panel; a carton cover hinged to said back wall, and front and side flange panels connected to the top panel, which carton in the collapsed condition has its cover side flange panels outfolded and its cover front flange panel infolded; and automatic locking means comprising a lock flap hinged to the front wall, and abutment means on the front flange panel, the machine comprising, in combination, an endless conveyor having lugs thereon adapted to engage said side walls; a sweep along the path of said conveyor for engaging and downfolding said cover into carton closed position; a first yieldable arm for engaging and bearing against the leading side flange panel, and a second arm moved in the direction of advance of said conveyor engaging and bearing against the trailing side flange panel during the engagement of the cover by said sweep.

2. A machine for the the automatic closing of open cartons consisting of a carton body comprising a bottom panel, side walls, and a front and a back wall connected to the bottom panel; a carton cover hinged to said back wall, and front and side flange panels connected to the top panel, which carton in the collapsed condition has its cover side flange panels outfolded and its cover front flange panel infolded; and automatic locking means comprising a lock flap hinged to the front wall, and abutment means on the front flange panel, the machine comprising, in com bination, an endless conveyor having lugs thereon adapted to engage said side walls; a sweep alon the path of said conveyor for engaging and downfolding said cover into carton closed position; a first stationary arm yieldably mounted for engaging and bearing against the leading side flange panel and a second movable arm for engaging and bearing against the trailing side flange panel during the engagement of the cover by said sweep; and means operating in timed relationship with said conveyor for moving said second arm in the direction of advance of said conveyor.

3. A machine for the automatic closing of open cartons consisting of a carton body comprising a bottom panel, side walls, and a front and a back wall connected to the bottom panel; a carton cover hinged to said back wall, and front and side flange panels connected to the top panel, which carton in the collapsed condition has its cover side flange panels outfolded and its cover front flange panel infolded; and automatic locking means comprising a lock flap connected to the front wall along a fold line, and abutment means on the inside of said front flange panel adapted to cooperate with an edge of said lock flap, the machine comprising, in combination, an endless conveyor having lugs thereon adapted to engage said side walls; a first sweep along the path of said conveyor for engaging and downfolding said lock flap towards said front wall about said fold line; a second sweep along the path of said conveyor for engaging and downfolding said cover over said folded lock flap into carton closed position; a first yieldable arm for engaging and bearing against the leading side flange panel; and a sec- Vance of said donveybr --ror engagin ana "bearing against the trailing side flange pan'el "during the engagement of said cover fsaid seccnd sweep. I A

4. A machinefbrthe-automatic cl'esing of open Caitdhs 'cdnsis'tin Ufa-T53R61! bqdymomprisir'iga bottom paneL-side wa11s,' 'a'nd a '"front and 'a'back well connected to thdbottom panel; a, ton coverhin ged to said'b'ack walLand front and side flange 'pane1sc6nn'ected-t0 'th'topZpaneL hich carton in the collapsed coridition h'as itscover side flange panels outfo'lded and its ook/er froht flange panel in'folded; and: automatic lo'ck-ing means compfising a lock fi'ap hinged to the' front wall, and ab tment means-en the' front flange anel; the cartel-{having tifeaseflines extendin a'c-ros-s the side Walls :aiid'the side flange panels 5. 'A machine'for the automatic closing of open cartons consisting of a. carton body comprising-a bot-tom panel, side walls, and 'ajfront' and a back Wall connected to thebdttom'panel; a carton cover hinged tdsaid"backiwail', and"fiont=a'nd side flange panels connected 'to the top"pane1,

tionship 'with said c'onveyor for' moving said second armm the di'iecti'on of advance of said conveyor.

, s wiiih' caitn in the collblii'se'dcbndition' h-as its cover side flange panels outfolded-and'its 'coi/er flIfOhfi flange pan l in'folcled and automatic iockmg means cbifipii'singa lbck flap connected to the :rro'nt W811 along a f old limp-and abutment means "en the inside' iif said f i'ont' flange pan'el adapted 'tdfinteilbck "*with an "edge of said 1001; flap, the carton having I crease lines extending? across the sidewalls and the side flange panels' p'ermit'ting foidin'g ofthe carton blank into'fiat collalzised conditi6n,-"'the machine comprising, in combination, 'ari'eiidless-' conveyer having lugs thereon adapted to;engage said side walls and maintain said side walls in"c'a;rtcn*erected 'pbsitibn; a first sweep along-the path of said convyor'for engaging and downfblding said Iock fialptbw'eirds "said front wen about said 'fbl'd' line =a sec0'nd swe'epalong the path of said 'conveyorfor engaging and downfolding said covenover'said folded Ieck flapi'ntO carton closed p'ositi'on; a 'fifst"yie1dab1e arm for engagingend 'beaiing' a'gaihst the leading side 'fiange pan'eljand a 'secbnd movable arm for' engagin and bearingagainstthe trailing side flange panel during the engagement ofthe cover by'said second sweep and means operating in timed-rela- 'WILLIAM A: RINGEER;

"REFERENCES: "CITED The-following 'i ef'erences are "ofrecotd in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES-BflTENTS 

